ISU Boxing Club performs well at regionals, will advance four to nationals

AMES, Iowa -- Four boxers from Iowa State University Boxing Club will
advance to the nationals competition in Reno, Nev., this weekend, April
12-14, as a result of a strong showing at the regionals competition in
Lexington, Ky.

The fighters are Ryan Allan, senior in health and human performance
from Cedar Rapids; Nick Nelson, senior in advertising and management
from Sioux City; Mike Bal, sophomore in advertising from Gilbert; and
Tony Sims, junior in architecture from Davenport.

Allan (156 pound weight class), Sims (165), and Nelson (185) all won
their respective weight classes to automatically advance to
Nationals. Bal (195) placed third and was given a wild card bid to
Reno.

In college boxing, there are 12 weight classes.

While the ISU boxers will face the best college fighters in the
country, the team has high hopes of performing well.

"We've been training for three or four years in a lot of cases, and
we just continue to improve," said Ryan Allan. "And this year is our
year."

Nelson placed third last year. Allan placed third in the competition
two years ago and didn't compete last year.

Quarterfinal matches, through finals will air live on cable channel,
CSTV, which is available from most Central Iowa cable television
providers.

The club has about 60 members, including four women, who train in the
State Gym on campus from 5:30-6:30 every weeknight.

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Quick look

Four boxers from Iowa State University Boxing Club will advance to the
nationals competition in Reno, Nev., April 12-14.